To say Zach Ertz is finally having a monster breakout year is about as accurate of an understatement one could make. In Monday night's win, Ertz seized his fifth touchdown of the season – already the most in his career. In the two games against the Redskins, he torched Washington for 182 yards and caught all 13 passes that were thrown his direction.
That's just a snapshot of what Ertz has done this year.
Across the league, Ertz ranks first among tight ends in receptions (39), receiving yards (494), touchdowns (5), and first downs (26). He's well on pace to earn his first 1,000-yard season and would be the first Eagles tight end to do so since Pete Retzlaff (1,190) accomplished the feat in 1965.
Ertz is playing elite-level football and Monday night's performance five-catch, 89-yard performance against the Redskins was no exception.
"Any time we play a division opponent, I want to have a good game. This whole year I pride myself on making plays when the ball is in the air and we got off to a fast start before and I want to make plays for the football team," said Ertz.
Ertz recorded his third straight game with a touchdown which is the longest streak by an Eagle since Jordan Matthews from 2015-16 and the longest by an Eagles tight end since Brent Celek from 2011-12. An improved aspect of Ertz's game is his production in the red zone. In the eight times he's been targeted inside the opponents' 20-yard line, Ertz has scored on five of those opportunities.
For the first time in his career, Ertz has had the same quarterback for consecutive years. And he and Carson Wentz are clearly on the same page.
"My job's so easy with Carson," Ertz said. "I just run and he puts the ball exactly where it needs to be every time."
On first-and-10 with the game tied at 10 apiece late in the second quarter, the two connected on a 46-yard pass downfield (the third-longest reception of Ertz's career) to bring the Eagles inside the Washington 20-yard line. Ertz showed off his polished red zone prowess when Ertz caught a short pass on a flat route, put the brakes on safety D.J. Swearinger making him fly by, before jogging in for a 4-yard score to finish the drive. The touchdown with just 20 seconds to go in the first half put the Eagles up for good.
"I kind of advised a certain play and luckily they listened. They're really receptive to what we're seeing on the football field. I think it stems from Carson's ability to diagnose plays. (Head coach) Doug (Pederson) made a great play call. I just had a flat route, caught the ball, figured he would be overreacting to the flat route because it was so close and I just kind of stopped and let him go by. It was easy," Ertz said.
Ertz is making plays look easy with great regularity these days. Up next for Eagles are the 49ers who rank as one of stingiest defenses toward opposing tight ends this season. They've allowed 26 receptions (eighth fewest) and 270 yards (seventh fewest) while relinquishing just one touchdown to tight ends. The challenge is one Ertz embraces as he continues to prove he's one of the league's most superior playmakers at tight end.
"I think my teammates expect me to go out there and make plays so I want to build that confidence in them for me," he said.
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Washington Redskins 34-24 on Monday Night Football.

Lincoln Financial Field is gameday ready

Lincoln Financial Field

Lincoln Financial Field

QB Carson Wentz meets with the family of Lukas Kusters before tonight's game #DutchDestroyer

QB Carson Wentz meets with the family of Lukas Kusters before the game tonight #DutchDestroyer

QB Carson Wentz meets with the family of Lukas Kusters before the game tonight #DutchDestroyer

Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie meets with fans at the tailgates before the game

Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie meets with fans at the tailgates before the game

Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie meets with fans at the tailgate before the game

Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie meets with fans at the tailgates before the game

Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie meets with fans at the tailgates before the game

David Akers signs a ceremonial contract to retire as an Eagle

Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie and Eagles Hall of Fame Inductee David Akers

David Akers and SWOOP

David Akers and Head Equipment Manager Greg Delimitros

TE Brent Celek

Defensive Backs Coach Cory Undlin

We can't think of a better way to spend a honeymoon!

Glad to have our fans back home

TE Brent Celek

CB Jalen Mills

CB Jalen Mills

S Corey Graham

WR Alshon Jeffery, QB Carson Wentz, and TE Brent Celek

RB LeGarrette Blount

All in

John Bartram High School was featured on the ESPN Broadcast tonight

David Akers and Brian Westbrook

RB LeGarrette Blount

HeadHouse Plaza ready for Monday Night Football

RB LeGarrette Blount

QB Carson Wentz

DT Tim Jernigan

S Malcolm Jenkins

CB Jalen Mills

DT Beau Allen

QB Carson Wentz

RB Wendell Smallwood

Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz

QB Carson Wentz

DT Beau Allen

WR Alshon Jeffery

CB Rasul Douglas, LB Nigel Bradham, and LB Najee Goode

LB Kamu Grugier-Hill

DE Derek Barnett

DE Derek Barnett and DT Fletcher Cox

QB Carson Wentz

WR Alshon Jeffery

T Jason Peters

QB Carson Wentz

LB Joe Walker and S Corey Graham

LB Joe Walker

WR Nelson Agholor

WR Nelson Agholor

LB Nigel Bradham and DE Derek Barnett

RB Corey Clement

WR Mack Hollins

WR Mack Hollins

WR Mack Hollins

WR Mack Hollins

Eagles Hall of Famers, K David Akers and WR Harold Carmichael

Eagles Hall of Famers, K David Akers and WR Mike Quick

The newest member of the Eagles Hall of Fame, K David Akers

K David Akers and Eagles President Don Smolenski

The newest member of the Eagles Hall of Fame, K David Akers

Eagles Hall of Famers at halftime

Passionate fans

Old school vibes

RB Wendell Smallwood

CB Jalen Mills

QB Carson Wentz

RB Wendell Smallwood

TE Zach Ertz

TE Zach Ertz

RB LeGarrette Blount

S Rodney McLeod

RB Corey Clement

RB Corey Clement

QB Carson Wentz

Eagles defense getting to the ball

S Malcolm Jenkins

WR Nelson Agholor

QB Carson Wentz

Head Coach Doug Pederson

WR Nelson Agholor

Battle in the trenches

Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz

S Jaylen Watkins

DT Fletcher Cox

S Corey Graham

CB Dexter McDougle

S Corey Graham and CB Dexter McDougle

RB Kenjon Barner

RB Kenjon Barner

T Halapoulivaati Vaitai

DT Fletcher Cox

RB Corey Clement and Head Coach Doug Pederson

T Halapoulivaati Vaitai

LB Nigel Bradham

Linebackers Coach Ken Flajole

LB Martell Spaight and RB Corey Clement

T Morgan Moses and S Rodney McLeod

LB Nigel Bradham and LB Zach Brown

T Lane Johnson and T Trent Williams

S D.J. Swearinger and WR Alshon Jeffery

noPHLYzone

QB Carson Wentz and Lukas Kusters' family #DutchDestroyer

QB Carson Wentz and Lukas Kusters' family #DutchDestroyer